Your Ultimate Skincare Guide to Saving Your Skin From This Summer

June 19, 2019

It’s no secret that the sun is damaging to your health. You’ve heard it time and time again but unfortunately, most people only realize the effects of sun damage once it’s too late. Perhaps their skin suddenly starts showing discoloration or like Lisa Pace, perhaps it’s after having 86 skin cancers removed as a result of her tanning bed usage. But here’s the thing, these aren’t rare cases that you only hear about in the media. Everyone experiences skin damage from the sun if they have not taken proper action to protect themselves from it, with some damage is far worse than others. Although, the worst-case scenarios still aren’t as rare as you may think. And with summer right around the corner, there is no better time to start taking better care of your skin which starts with – you guessed it, properly protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays.

 

 

Is The Sun Really That Bad for your Skin?

Everyone has heard of the horror stories associated with UV damage to the skin but yet, many people still choose to turn a blind eye to them with the assumption that, “it won’t happen to me”. Unfortunately, the reality is that it can very well happen to you or to anyone who doesn’t properly protect their skin on a regular basis. In fact, studies have shown that more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the United States than all other cancers combined and one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. So yes, the sun really is that bad for your skin. Even if you are one of the lucky few that will not develop skin cancer, you are not exempt from other types of sun damage, which I will explain further in just a moment.

 

How Does The Sun Harm Your Skin?

The sun is damaging to your skin in many ways. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be shining in order for it to penetrate through the thick clouds and right into your skin cells. And that, alone, says a lot about just how powerful it is. Now, imagine what it has been doing to your skin and what it continues to do to your skin as you bask in the sun or frolic on the sandy shores without proper protection. It’s terrifying.

But how does it damage your skin, you ask?

The sun emits incredibly strong UVA and UVB rays that essentially burn your skin cells or in technical terms, damages the fibers in the skin which leads to various types of signs and symptoms, such as wrinkles, sagging or stretching skin, or the many other different types of skin damage which leads me into the next topic…

 

What Are The Different Types of Sun Damage to the Skin?

Sun exposure can cause a vast array of changes to the skin, many of which people mistaken as a normal part of aging. But don’t be mistaken, no sun damage to the skin is considered “natural”. To help you determine whether you are donning the signs of sun damage, here are the various signs to look for:

• Fine and coarse wrinkles
• Freckles
• Scaly, rough patches of skin
• Raised bumps that look like warts
• Discolored areas of the skin
• A yellow discoloration of the skin
• Constantly dry or split lips
• Age spots (extra-large freckles)
• Benign tumors
• Atypical moles
• Sun burns
• Rosacea (damaged blood vessels under your skin)
• Lines, wrinkles or saging skin (destruction of elastic and collagen tissue)

 

… And just because you may not have some or any of these signs of sun damage today does not mean that you are safe. Sun damage is rarely apparent when you’re young and almost always shows up later in life when the damage has built up. Think of it like this – your skin is the skin on a fruit; you might experience discoloration and minor damage from time to time but eventually, the damage continues to grow and worsen, and the fruit becomes rotten, unless you cut out the damaged parts and take proper action to keep the fruit from exterior harm, such as storing it in a proper temperature, moisture and environment.

 

 

How to Repair Sun Damaged Skin?

It isn’t all-downhill from here, though. The first step to protecting your skin from further damage is to educate yourself on the topic and you’re here doing that right now. Good for you.

The next step is to learn the various ways you can prevent further sun damage to your skin and help repair the damage that has been done. As a Licensed New Hamshire Aesthetician and Makeup Artist, here are the professional recommendations I give to clients who are looking to prevent and repair their skin from sun damage:

 

Improve discoloration by using skincare that have ingredients that help reduce inflammation and contain powerful anti oxidants to help reduce the damaging effects of the sun. A few of my favorites at Anika Skincare and Makeup are the following:

Ferulic Acid Vitamin C & E Serum ( excellent for event the most sensitive skin)

Ultimate Ferulic C & E Serum is a high potency multi-C cocktail that drenches skin in an infusion of powerful anti-oxidants. Stable Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and superior ORAC scoring Kakadu Plum, Astaxanthin, Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E offer advanced protection from photo-aging and dermal instability caused by free radical aggression. This fast penetrating formula combats UVA /UVB damage while delivering intensive levels of skin revitalizing and collagen synthesizing nourishment.

• Light-as-water texture suitable for all skin types.
• Helps repair skin's barrier and reduce inflammation.
• Can lighten post-breakout red marks.
• Can dramatically improve the appearance of dark spots from sun damage.

 

Ultimate Ferulic Acid C & E Firming Creme
All Skin Types | Sensitive | Visibly Irritated | Post-peel or Post-operative |Dry

Enjoy this superfruit anti-oxidant rich creme that contains age defying peptides and skin conditioning agents. Recommended for most skin types, this lightweight moisturizer helps to firm the dermal scaffold, stimulate collagen synthesis and boost resilience. Firms and tightens skin. Improves lines and wrinkles. Protects from the effects of photo aging.

 

Skin Brightening Booster...

 is a unique pigment clarifying serum that addresses uneven production of melanin. A dynamic blend of Bearberry, Kojic, Salicylic, Azelaic and Fruit Acids synergistically targets areas of hyperpigmentation and acne-prone based scaring. Super antioxidant Ferulic Acid and peptide stabilized Vitamin C resist free radicals while encouraging collagen synthesis.

 

Increase Elasticity and improve the firmness of skin with cell communicating ingredients that get deep into the skin. Check out the Rapid Firm serum, this is a Best seller! For all skin types.

 Rapid Firm Serum is a hexapeptide-rich formula, which employs cutting- edge technology and high yield actives that immediately improve the appearance of devitalized skin. A proprietary blend of dynamic cosmetic ingredients that address fine lines, expression muscle contraction and sluggish skin, which occur as a result of chronological aging. High molecular weight proteins with beneficial surface properties result in perceived immediate tightening and longer term sustained efficacy following four weeks of use.

 

 

Improve Rosacea with anti inflammatory ingredients. The top picks from the Essential Dermaceutical advanced skincare brand our:

The Ultra Calm Cleanser, Ultra Calm Toner, Ultra Calm Serum and Ultra Calm Creme for any skin type that is sensitve or has Rosacea, or even post operative skin. Very soothing natural safe ingredients. 

 Incorporating other products like Retinol A and Skin Resurfacing creme or Lactic Creme to help stimulate collagen and elastin in the skin and also evening out the skin tone, reducing pigmenation and reducing acne break outs as well. 

 

 

How to Protect Your Skin from the Sun

Treating your current sun damage is a great place to start but it won’t mean anything if you don’t take the proper steps towards prevent future sun damage. Below is a list of ways to protect your skin from the sun.

 

Be Weary of Dangerous Chemicals in SPF Sun Screens

In a perfect world, all sun screen products would be created to provide the wearer with optimal health and protection. Unfortunately, many of them are full of harmful chemicals that include, but are not limited to things such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, octinoxate and homosalate. What may shock you is that it isn’t just “low end” cheap sunscreen products that have these types of chemicals in them. In fact, if you were to go grab a sunscreen bottle in your house right now, chances are you’ll find at least one of these chemicals in the ingredient list. So, although these sunscreens may provide you with protection from sun, they are causing you harm in many other ways that can cause similar, if not worse damage.

Now, mineral sunscreens are often the better option with many of these including ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

 I suggest using Suntegrity which has 100% natural, non nano zinc oxide, organic, safe ingredients sun lotions. You get the sun protection you’re looking for without subjecting your health to other problems.

 

Use a Natural, Organic Sun Screen

With the prior mentioned, it’s imperative to not only wear sunscreen but to wear an natural sunscreen to ensure you aren’t lathering your skin with harmful chemicals. Suntegrity offers a premium line of natural sunscreen products, from non-toxic SPF moisturizer to natural organic moisturizing face sunscreen, natural SPF lipsticks and more.

Mineral Sun Stick – SPF 30

Not only is this mineral sports sun screen safe for you, but it is also reef safe. It's a water resistant natural sun screen that provides UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum protection from the sun's harmful rays. It's formulated with non-nano zinc oxide in a solid stick form, leaving no greasy film or feeling. The organic coconut oil, shea butter and cocoa seed butter added into the mix leave the skin hydrated and moisturized and with an organic sweet orange essential oil scent that uplifts the senses. You can use this natural sun screen for quick touch-ups on your hands, face, chest and shoulders. Here are some key features:

• UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum Protection
• Water Resistant for 80 minutes
• NSF Certified Organic
• Vegetarian & Cruelty Free
• Uplifting Natural Orange Scent
• Easy to Apply, On-The-Go Coverage
• Reef Friendly

Natural Mineral Sunscreen – SPF 30

Suntegrity's Natural Mineral Sunscreen for Body was awarded the #1 Rating in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database and  made EWG's 2017 "Best Beach & Sport Sunscreens" list. Some key features include:

• UV Chemical-Free Sunscreen
• Broad Spectrum Protection
• Paraben, Phthalate and Mineral Oil Free
• Cruelty Free and Vegan
• Non Greasy for Smooth Application
• Contains Organic Ingredients like Green Tea Extract, Cucumber Extract, and Pomegranate Seed Oil for added protection.

 

Makeup Tips for Sun Damage

The best makeup tips for preventing sun damage are the ones that don’t add an extra step into your morning regime. After all, you’re already busy rushing around trying to start your day and having yet another product to purchase and to put on simply isn’t plausible for many of us. Instead, swap out your regular makeup products for SPF makeup products – lipsticks, mineral powders, eye shadows, facial primers, moisturizers and coverup that has SPF added into the formula.

Suntegrity also offers an incredible line of natural, organic SPF makeup with some of my favorites being:

 

5-in-1 Natural Moisturizing Sunscreen – Tinted SPF 30

This incredible SPF face moisturizer made EWG's 2017 "Best Moisturizers with SPF" list and also received a #1 Rating in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.  Some other key features include:

• Free of: Parabens, Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oils, Synthetic Dyes, Sulfates, Paba, Titanium Dioxide, Nano-Particles and Chemical UV Absorbers.
• Vegan
• Non-Greasy
• Fragrance-Free
• Cruelty Free (PETA & Leaping Bunny Cert.)

Moisturizing Face Sunscreen – Mineral Tinted Coverage

This SPF moisturizing sun screen has everything you need for a safe summer and ample protection against the sun's harmful UV rays. Not only is it free of

Silicones, Oils, Parabens, Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oils, Synthetic Dyes, Sulfates, Titanium Dioxide, Paba, Nano-Particles & Chemical UV Absorbers, this facial sunscreen is vegan and reef friendly and has the amazing added ingredients for optimal skin health:

• Vitamin C + E - antioxidant protection that feeds & nourishes the skin
• Peptides visibly reduce the signs of aging and provide an overall smoothing effect
• Non-Nano Zinc Oxide provides Broad Spectrum SPF 30 protection
• Melanin protects the skin from damaging blue/violet light
• Hyaluronic Acid provides long lasting hydration
• Environmental Shield - protects against pollutants and allergens while preserving skin's natural barrier function
• Available in 5 Shades: Ivory, Buff, Sand, Tan, Bronze

 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen and Primer – SPF 30

A  natural face moisturizer, sun screen and primer? You bet. This moisturizing face sunscreen is a rich, non-greasy, “UV chemical-free” sunscreen won the 2013 Allure Best of Beauty Award! It also made EWG's 2017 "Best Moisturizers with SPF" list and received a #1 Rating in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.  Oh, but that's not it! Here are some other key features:

• Free of: Parabens, Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oils, Synthetic Dyes, Sulfates, Paba, Titanium Dioxide, Nano-Particles and Chemical UV Absorbers.
• Vegan
• Non-Greasy
• Light, Uplifting Citrus Scent
• Cruelty Free (PETA & Leaping Bunny Cert.)

SPF 30 Lipstick - Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Wheat-Free, GMO-Free

 

This SPF lipstick is infused with Lip Repair Lipids and Konjac Root Wrinkle-Filling Spheres to visibly reduce the look of fine lines. It offers Broad Spectrum SPF 30 protection without the harsh chemicals, providing nourishment for your lips with a rich, creamy color for a sun-kissed shimmering finish. In addition, it can be used as a blush cheek color. It gives a soft sheer beautiful finish on cheeks.

Now, just because you’re protecting your skin doesn’t mean you can’t have a sun kissed glow. Suntegrity has an incredible 5-in-1 Natural Self Tanner that is 100% natural and organic so you can get the glow you want without the sun damage and chemicals.

 

For a free consultation, give me a call and if you’re in the Hudson, New Hampshire area, skip the shipping and enjoy free order pick-up at Anika Skincare and Makeup in Hudson, NH.

 

Psst: Did you know you receive free samples with every order?

Free Priority Shipping over $100 too!

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